Recent Census reports shows that population growth in Chandler makes it the fourth largest city in the state of Arizona, bypassing Glendale. The U.S. Census Bureau shows Chandler grew by 33.7 percent since the 2000 Census, and now has 236,123 residents. That puts the city at No. 4 after Phoenix at a population of 1,445,632, a 9.4 percent growth; Tucson, 520,116, up by 6.9 percent; and Mesa, 439,041, an increase of 10.8 percent. Glendale grew by 3.6 percent and has 226,721 residents. However, the census fi gures are about 19,000 below what was expected by City of Chandler offi cials. “Based upon information on from the Census in the past years, we were surprised that reported population was lower than anticipated,” says Kevin Hartke, who chaired the “Chandler Counts” census committee last year. “Our planners are going back to check

Community

Chandler is 4th largest in state, says Census Numbers come in under estimated projections

the reported number of residences. If our numbers and the census numbers are about the same, then we probably have lost some people recently due to foreclosures or other factors.”

Hartke says he is happy about Chandler’s new placement.

“It was good to see that we are fi rmly placed as the fourth largest city in Arizona ... The information will give us a better snapshot of our community and specifi c comparisons with other communities.” Hartke says other cities were also expecting higher numbers, including Phoenix, which was about 124,000 under projections and Gilbert came in about 17,000 under what they were expecting.

The largest county is Maricopa, with a population of 3,817,117, up by 24.2 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top fi ve include Pima, with a population

CFD walks streets to prevent drownings

A volunteer neighborhood walk is the cornerstone of a community-wide campaign currently underway by the Chandler Fire Department to educate residents about the importance of direct and constant adult supervision of children around water. The event was organized in response to an unusually high number of recent drowning incidents involving infants and young children, all in the SanTan Sun area.

Fire Department personnel are emphasizing pool safety and water awareness to local residents by speaking with them in a variety of venues, such as grocery stores, parks, schools, homeowner association meetings and door-to-door visits. On Sat., March 26, community volunteers will join fi refi ghters in walking their neighborhoods and sharing a message of personal responsibility for preventing child drownings. A door hanger promoting the campaign will be left on every door. Participants in the walks should visit the Chandler Fire Training Center at 3550 S.

Dobson Rd. between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on March 26. Fire Department staff will assign small groups of volunteers specific neighborhoods and provide maps, door

of 980,263, an increase of 16.2 percent; Pinal, 375,770, growing 109.1 percent; Yavapai, 211,033, a 26 percent increase; and Mohave, 200,186, up 29.1 percent. The data provides the fi rst look at population counts for small areas and race, Hispanic origin, voting age and housing unit data released from the 2010 Census. The offi cial 2010 Census Redistricting Data Summary File can be used to redraw federal, state and local legislative districts under Public Law 94-171. The census data are used by state offi cials to realign congressional and state legislative districts in their states, taking into account population shifts since the 2000 Census.